If not known already, figured that some of you guys and gals might have interest in some of this ...

http://www.webcanine.com/health.htm#snake

http://www.placervillevet.com/rattlesnake_vaccine.htm

http://espn.go.com/outdoors/sportin...en/2030630.html

http://americanwaterfowlers.com/for...php/t-6920.html (a vet there with somewhat of a "wait and see" posture)

We are in the process of adopting "Lola", about a 1 to 2 year old German Shorthair Pointer. The lady I'm getting her from, when told about recent rattlesnake encounter while scouting new lease, told me about this stuff. Gonna discuss it with vet shortly ...

Anyone out there had your dog vaccinated with this stuff yet?

CanyonMan

04-29-2005, 22:30

We don't vaccinate our dogs out here on the ranch, and we have the highest population of rattlers, 'than any other ranch in the county,' (according to the snake hunters etc.).

We have never had a problem with a bite in all these years, but i know it can happen.

The 'vaccines' you speak of here, or really NOT a cure all. What i mean is, it sounds good on paper, and makes the Vet's some money, and those who sell it, but 'it is not a preventitive.'

If the dog is vaccinated with these products, they "may" help a bit in the process of rapid venom circulation, but even that would 'surprize me.'

Horses, well, they get bit more than the dogs, (not often mind you, just more, compared to the mutts), and it is a great deal of the time on their nose, from browsing.

The best preventitive, (not being smart here), is a gun.
(not for the dog, but for you), ;f

Just the other day, my brothers little Jack Russel terrier, was in the front yard going nuts, and my brother had to 'shotgun' a good size rattler in front of him.

Even running the dogs at night out here, we have yet to have a problem, and that is just the grace of God i know, but still, there is no magic cure all, or preventitive, 'that i would count on,' IMHO.

If there was, we would have vaccinated every horse and cow, and steer on the place! (and dogs). ;)

Man, just be real careful with this stuff, and make sure you learn a great deal about it, before you 'shoot your pooch up with it!'

Even if vaccinated, with this stuff, the dog is still going to suffer the heck out of the bite, and need 'quick vet attention.'

Really they usually don't die, oddly enough, but can end up crippled, or tore up pretty bad, and yes, 'death can occur.'

We have seen horses with a bite on the upper thigh, that would make you sick to your stomache, completely bizzare. what that would have done to a dog is incredible. Again, just dont 'count on' magic advertized formulas, as a MAJOR preventitive.

Just be careful Hoss, that is all i am trying to encourage you with! ;)